Common Name(s): Ethoxylated nonionic emulsifier,peg-based o/w emulsifier,solubiliser
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides peg-based ethoxylated nonionic emulsification and solubilisation.
Why It's Used: Ethoxylated nonionic emulsifier โ peg chain length determines hlb allowing precise o/w emulsification tuning, while the nonionic character eliminates charge-related irritation and provides compatibility with all other surfactant types.
How It Works: Fatty alcohol/acid + ethylene oxide (eo) โ ethoxylate. eo count = hlb control. nonionic: no charge, no irritation. o/w emulsification at hlb>10. solubilisation. broad ph stability. compatible all surfactants.
Typically Found In: O/w emulsions,solubilisation systems
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ20%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - feedstock declaration required
Halal Status: Unverified - feedstock declaration required (plant, animal and petrochemical routes all exist)
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: origin-dependent: the same inci exists in plant, animal and petrochemical versions and the name does not discriminate. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Peg chain hlb engineering: griffin's hlb = 20 ร (peg mass / total molecular mass). increasing eo count increases peg mass fraction โ higher hlb. at hlb 3-6: w/o emulsification; hlb 8-16: o/w emulsification; hlb 16+: micellar solubilisation. this systematic hlb control from eo chain length allows formulators to dial in precise emulsifier geometry from one chemical series by simply selecting the appropriate eo count โ the foundational principle of surfactant hlb formulation engineering.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,peg ethoxylate hlb engineering review